WK News - Issue 11 (5) - Flipbook - Page 28
ISSUE NO.11 WINTER 2023 | WEST KENT NEWS 28
PASTORAL CARE TEAM (PCT)
Overindulgence during the Festive
Season?
Following the successful programmes
over the last three years, the Pastoral
Care Team will be re-running the
Weight Loss Initiative from the
beginning of January until the end of
March and you can join at any time in
that period. Details are available by
emailing
pastoralcareteam@westkentmasons.o
rg.uk, quoting 8weight9 in the subject
line and giving your contact details.
You can also be enrolled in the
associated WhatsApp group which
has proved invaluable as a mutual
support resource. Thanks are due to
George Buckberry for taking on the
task of managing the programme
again next year.
The
PCT
CareLine
is
throughout the Holidays
open
Back in 2021 when the CareLine was
8initiated9 the PCT team had no idea
of the scope of issues with which they
would be presented. Consequently,
one of the preparatory jobs was the
collation of a broad database of
organisations to which Brethren could
be referred for specialist counselling
or information. However it has seldom
been needed, because more often
than not all the caller wants is to chat
with a Brother who can identify with
their own issues.
Although the Team doesn9t offer
counselling itself, it includes qualified
mental health counsellors as well as
a senior paramedic and members
who have suffered various forms of
cancer and heart problems, all of
whom are available for Brethren who
may wish to share fears and
concerns with others who can identify
with their problems.
Whilst the first port of call for
Brethren in distress should normally
be their Lodge Almoner, the CareLine
exists as an emergency service.
Indeed, there are many members
that prefer to talk to an 8outsider9
rather than to share their problems
with a member of their own Lodge. In
many
ways
that
is
perfectly
understandable.
It is not within the remit, or wish, of
the Team to detract from the
Almoners9 role but unfortunately it is
sometimes difficult to avoid because
the wishes and well-being of the
Brother concerned are paramount.
Some of the issues that have been
faced have been heart-rending to say
the least but without exception, there
has always been a positive outcome.
The CareLine is available twenty four
hours a day, 365 days a year, ready
to listen and help. Whether it9s just a
chat, a health issue or just about any
personal problem imaginable - and
be it be a Brother, a member of their
immediate family or one of our
cherished widows, the Team is there
to help because … FREEMASONRY
CARES.
The dreaded ULEZ
Many members of Lodges that now fall
within the ULEZ area are faced with the
additional cost when attending meetings
and we strongly encourage Brethren to
consider whether they might assist by
car-sharing.
The
impact
will
fall
especially hard on our older and less
able-bodied Brethren. We know that
many members already help out in this
way but please consider whether we
could all do more, as the last thing we
need in these difficult times is to see
Brethren fall by the wayside because of
the additional expense.
Long Covid? - some personal
thoughts from Team member David
Hedges.
Covid doesn9t just go away as soon as
you take a negative test, as we all know,
the impact can last a long time and in
many differing ways. At the moment not
much is known about the detailed cause
and there are no specific cures,
nonetheless help is available from the
NHS and if you have the slightest doubt
get your GP to refer you to the excellent
local support team. My own issue is
decidedly Masonic; since Covid I have
difficulty projecting my voice, not good
for a dedicated ritualist. As anticipated
there9s no easy cure but I have been
referred to a voice coach at the English
National Opera, one of the many
organisations
that
are
supporting
rehabilitation – Don9t suffer, there is help
available.